10 Budgeting Tips for the Holidays

1. Set a Budget

What I feel is the most important thing for he holiday season is setting yourself a budget. Knowing how much your allotting in overall spending and per person spending will make shopping a whole lot easier. Make sure you stick to this budget, going over will create an "after holiday panic" when checking your bank account.

2. Make a List

Just like Santa, make a list and check it twice. I usually start my holiday list around the end of October. This gives me time to listen to hints people are dropping and shop around for ideas. I always write my list on my phone so no one can see it and I always have it with me.

Last week, I was talking to my boyfriend's mom and she told me that she keeps these lists from year to year so she can reference what she got someone in the past. This is great if you are stuck on what to buy or if you have a horrible memory like myself!

3. Keep Track of Spending

Along with your list of what you want to buy and what you bought each person, keep track of the prices and your total spent on each gift. With the list of every years holiday gift, my boyfriends mom keeps ALL holiday shopping recipes in an envelope and labels it the year. This will allow her to go back and see the amount she spend on each item and where she got the items from in past years.

*Be careful you don't lose these envelopes, that will make this trick unhelpful!

4. Space Out Gift Buying

This is a trick I figured out this holiday season. I spaced it out to buying 2-3 gifts a week the spending will feel like a lot less. I always used to scramble and buy all my gifts in one shopping spree. This made the expense of the holiday season even harder.

5. Shop Sales

Never be afraid to shop the sales. Holiday sales usually start around Thanksgiving and end after the New Year. This is a huge gap of time to take advantage of those great prices.

*It is up to you weather you decided to take the sale as you can buy more on that person to make up for it, or if you keep that money to make your holiday spending less. I usually deiced this depending on the person and the relationship I have with them. I always send my exact budget amount for my immediate family and boyfriend.

7. Consider Joint Gifts

Sometime the gift you want to buy someone is out of budget. This is a perfect time to ask around if anyone else would like to go in on this gift with you. splitting the cost between 2 or more people will allow you to get the large, expensive gift you were planning on getting at half or less the cost.

6. DIY Holidays

My favorite holiday savings trick! DIY gifts are not only cheaper, but I feel they are way more personal. DIY can be hard for busy people who do not have the time to create something for the holidays. Don't be afraid to show off you hidden skills and artistic side this Holiday season.

7. Set a Price Cap

When exchanging with distant family members, old friends or coworkers a great way to keep yourself from over-buying is to set a price cap. Knowing that each persons can spend $10, $20, $30 or what ever amount you want is helpful when making and sticking to your budget.

8. Suggest a Gift Exchange Game

Doing a holiday gift game will eliminate the need to buy a gift for everyone in a large group. I have see these games done with cousins, co-workers, friend groups or any other large group of people. Some fun gift exchange games are:

Secret Santa Rules

White Elephant Rules

Other Gift Exchange Ideas

9. Themed Gift Exchange

A themed gift exchange is another great way to limit spending and ideas for a large group of people. Some of these themes can be...

- Alcohol

- Boardgames

- For the Kitchen

- Ornaments

- Recpies

- Piratical Gifts

- Books or Movies

10. Don't Stress

If you follow some of all of these tips and tricks for holiday spending, you should feel a little less stressed out then normal. Don't worry about what people will think, spread holiday cheer and show people that it is not all about the perfect gift. It is truly about being around the ones you love and showing your love and respect for each other.